MELISSA RODRIGUEZ
@_melisssaaaa

On Monday, Nov. 14, the School of Arts, Media and Communication’s Department of Music (SAMC) at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi presented the Lichtenstein String Quartet, as one of the first performances of a weeklong list of musical events.

 
The performance was free to the public and was held at the Performing Arts Center that Monday evening. It consisted of an hour-long recital of works composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) and Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884).

 
“The Lichtenstein String Quartet is a full-ride undergraduate scholarship quartet that you must audition into,” said Gabrielle Choma, sophomore music major and violist member in the quartet. “It is a highly competitive quartet where we are required to re-audition every two years.”

 
This Lichtenstein String quartet is composed of two violinist, Austin Gabrillo and Anthony Salazer, a viola player, Choma and  a cello player, Matthew Paiz.

 
“We are all very close and have deep respect for each other, we [also] push each other to grow and advise each other on how to become better musicians,” Choma said.

 
The first piece the string quartet performed was by the renowned composer, Beethoven. The four movements played were: Allegro con brio, Adagio, Scherzo: allegro Milton, and Allegro, which is consistent with the general layout of a four-movement piece in music composition.

 
The second piece the quartet performed was from the composer Smetana. This was a more romantic style of music which included the four movements: Allegro vivo appassionato, Allegro moderato a la polka, Largo sostenuto and Vivace.

 
“The quartet started about 8 years ago,” said Carrie Pierce, associate professor of music and mentor/coach for the Lichtenstein Quartet. “The Lichtenstein Foundation wanted to have more connection between the University and the community.”

 
Aside from the performances this quartet puts on each semester at the Island University, the Lichtenstein Foundation has funded an after-school program that allows the quartet members to teach children of the community how to play string instruments every Monday and Wednesday at the Joe Garza Plaza in town.

 
“The end goal is to change lives at the center and have a fantastic time exploring new and challenging repertoire as a group,” Pierce said.

 
Pierce said there are some upcoming performances for the Lichtenstein String Quartet including the Annual Holiday Gala on Dec. 2.  They will pick up again next semester as they always give a full concert every semester along with several other smaller performances at the university.

 
For more information about upcoming performances at the PAC, visit pac.tamucc.edu/events.